Community input critical for successful transit implementation

If you want change in your community, you have to take personal responsibility for making it happen. That’s the perspective of Ruby Baker, Bordeaux Hills Residential Association president and a key player in Nashville’s transit discussion.

“Many transit issues need to be addressed in Bordeaux Hills, including our seniors’ limited access to sidewalks and bus routes,” Baker said. “I look forward to future transit conversations where I can continue sharing my community’s needs.”

Baker, a 57-year resident of Nashville, is a community activist who has participated in the city’s transit process since ‘nMotion’ launched in 2015. She has been a committed advocate for transit, voicing concerns and ensuring that Bordeaux Hills not be excluded from the process of planning for the future.

“I want to make a difference in my city, and helping to provide a transit solution is one way I can do that,” Baker said. “It is our responsibility to provide input on this transit plan and work hand-in-hand to reach a solution.”

Transit options are imperative for Bordeaux Hills residents as they prepare for growth in 2018. The neighborhood is slated for major developments, including a 40-unit townhome project. In a community where traffic congestion increases daily and an influx of families is forthcoming, Baker supports transit solutions that will accommodate continued growth and enhance safety for residents. For Bordeaux Hills, a transit plan is the logical next step.

Nashvillians like Baker have had a voice in the transit process and will continue to have one as proposed transportation options are released in the coming weeks. The real work starts after Mayor Megan Barry’s plan is announced, and community engagement will be a key factor in ensuring that the needs of all Nashvillians are met.

Tremendous input has already gone into the planning process, and Baker is proud of the part she’s played in Nashville’s historic transit journey. She is confident that the transit plan to be released next Tuesday will reflect dialogue that she helped start years ago.

Transit For Nashville encourages residents to speak out and get involved by signing a petition at www.TransitForNashville.com. The petition reads: “I’m for transit, and I’m willing to help pay for it. We can’t afford to wait!” The goal of the petition drive is to support Metro Council members as they consider how to tackle our congestion problem.

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